March 08, 2005

Iowa Mental Health Insurance Parity

Health insurance coverage for brain disorders appears to be inching forward in Iowa.

The Iowa State House has moved forward with a plan that would require some employers that provide health insurance to their employees to offer coverage that pays for mental health treatment.

The Quad-City Times newspaper noted "Supporters portrayed the bill as a compromise that would be less expensive than the type of complete mental health coverage some had wanted. The bill cleared the House on a 74-24 vote last week.

Mental health advocates and some Democrats complained that the measure did not go far enough, but said they were supporting it with the hope it could be upgraded in coming years."